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Comment by hi-v-rocknroll | Hacker News Reader

They should keep patting themselves on the back for crumbs of improvement. And yet America is one of most unequal societies, far exceeding the inequality of the Gilded Age.

Infographics: Wealth Inequality in America (2012)

https://youtu.be/QPKKQnijnsM

(2023) 10 year update to Inequality for All (2013) - Robert Reich

https://youtu.be/MxW3l7rfv1k

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I never understood if it should matter.

Laos (poorest SE Asian country) has less inequality than France as measured by Gini.

Is life really better in Laos than France? How about for the poor?

Let's visit the cities and countryside of each to find out. It's the only way to know if the data is realistic or bullshit, and whether it characterizes affordability and/or happiness appropriately.

I've listed both and it's clear the poor in Laos are far worse off, even if the society is more equal.

Yep. Both are far better off than America. I'll say it again as I say too often but appear to be shouting into a void or deaf ears: I don't think most Americans realize how good they have some things, but economically, healthcare, and human rights they're screwed badly in a lot of ways that other countries hold work stoppages over much less.

We're very spoiled people who unfortunately are too far removed from the rest of the world to truly appreciate what other regions experience. This goes both for and against our society. The negatives all have a singular driver and that's capitalism. If we got over ourselves and unionized in large numbers we could grind things to a halt tomorrow to get change in the country should we have need. Unfortunately we're too scared or stupid to organize as a class and keep to our kind like crayons.

> Both are far better off than America.

Laos has it better off than America? You're just trolling now

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